Reunification Palace

This is actually something we visited in our first week here in Saigon, but I’ve been thinking of sharing it sense then. The Reunification Palace here in Saigon is quite bizarre to visit. Aside from being an ode to the sixties, I find it interesting in the sense of a representation of reunification. Here you…

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Generational War

Following up on my last post, in a way, I wanted to reflect a bit on our association, or lack-there-of, with war. I was out the other night with a couple of American professors from the baby boomer era. The woman mentioned that she felt a responsibility towards Vietnam as it was her generation who…

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Is Terrorism the new Communism?

In my time here in Vietnam, I’ve been contemplating our state of the world. Spending time in a country that the US once invaded in the name of the fight against Communism, it makes me consider the parallels in the current war on terror. You’d think that living in Afghanistan would give me pause for…

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Just Step Out There

In the little Luxe guide, with the best of the best in Saigon, it had a great tip that seems an appropriate metaphor for life. Their advice on crossing the road – step right out like a brave young thing and the hordes avoid you, otherwise you’ll be stood in the gutter for the rest…

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Day at the Beach

Yesterday we enjoyed a fabulous day at the beach. Most of the Afghans I’m with had never seen the ocean, so they were keen to take a day trip there. It wasn’t originally in our schedule, but we managed to use our day off to go and explore.Now the retribution is that my legs are…

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Temples in Vietnam

I wanted to share with folks about our adventures today to Tay Ninh. This is located near the border of Cambodia and is the location of a beautiful mountaintop Buddhist temple that is most commonly visited when seeking wealth and prosperity. It was a fun and interesting day, particularly visiting such a site with a…

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Virtual Orchids for Mom

I can’t help but post about the incredible flowers here. I was on a mission the other night to pick some up. Little did I know that I could get six stems of orchids for about forty cents. I was amazed. They smell and look incredible. I’m thinking that I may need to go pick…

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